Door-operating mechanism.



H. ROWNTREE.

DOOR OPERATING NIECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1910.

lal Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. ROWNTREE. DooR OPERATING MEcHANlsM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY5, 1910. 19169334, Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

s'rafras Para onirica.

HAROLD ROWNTREE, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL PNEUMATIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F WEST VIRGINIA.

DOOR-OPERATING- lltIECHANISIll.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. i8, 1916.

Application filed May 5, 1910. Serial No. 559,491.

To all w/wmit may concern Be itknown that I, HAROLD RowN'rREE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Door-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for operating 'the doors of street cars.

The object of the invention is to provide a car or other door operating mechanism which is simple in structure, economical to manufacture, and eflicient in operation.

A further object is to provide means which are simple and eiiicient for locking the apparatus in position to hold the doors open or closed.

A further object is to provide means in a manually operated apparatus of the character referred to for retarding the final movements of the door.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully herein-after set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views and reference signs appearing thereon,-Figure 1 is a plan view, parts in horizontal section of la portion of the end of a car showing door operating mechanism having a construction, arrangement and relation embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a broken View in vertical section on the line 2, 2, Fig. 1, showing the guide roller and guides for the inner folding door section. Fig. 3 is a broken view in top plan, parts in horizontal section, showing a cushioning arrangement embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a broken vicw in elevation.

In my Patent No. 937,870, dated Oct. 26,

.1909, is shown, described and claimed, a con-- struction of twin folding doors, the folding movements of the door sections being effected by means of intermeshed gears. In the use of apparatus embodying the construction In carrying out my invention I provide doors made in sections or panels hinged together and designed to fold'upon each other to open the doorway and to straighten out into substantially the same plane when closed, the folding movement of the one section or panel upon the other in opening being effected by means of a guiding roller or device connected to the folding section or panel of the door and operating in a guiding way or track.

In the drawings, reference letters A and B designate respectively-the outer and inner panels or sections of each door. Each outer section A is secured at its outer edge to a vertical rock Shaft C, to rock or swing therel with. Each inner section or panel B, is

its cooperating door section A, as indicated at D. Secured to each door section B, is a bracket or shoe E, carrying a guiding device, in this instance a roller F, arranged to be received and to operate in a way or track, indicated at G, formed in or connected to the under surface of the ledge or frame immediately over the doorway. This guide way or track may be of any suitable construction and arrangement. I have shown a simple embodiment wherein angle plates H, J, are provided and separated suiiiciently from each other to afford a trackway therebetween. The plate H, extends practically all the way across the doorway while the plates J, are short and terminate with their proximate ends considerably separated at the' center of the doorway. A block or shoe K, is

the doors occupy their closed positions, as shown in Fig. 1, and it is desired -to move them to their open position. The shafts C, are rotated thereby swinging the sections or panels A about the axes of said shafts. At the commencement of the rocking or swinging movement of the door sections A, the hinge joints between the door sections A, and B, are bent at D, thereby slightly rocking the door sections B about thevbearing points thereof against the shoe K, as a fulcrum. This movement causes the rollers F, to move outwardly a suflicient distance to enable themv to enter the guide ways or tracks G. The continued swinging movement of the door sections A, toward open position, causesthe guide rollers F to be drawn through the guideways or tracks G, thereby 'causing the door panels or sections B, to fold back against the panels or sections A, into the complete open positions thereof. By rotating shafts C, in the opposite direction the panels or sections A, are rocked t0- Ward their closed position, thereby pushing the guide rollers F alo-ng the guideways G, toward the inner ends thereof. The eX- treme inner edges of the sections B, are eventually brought into engagement with the rounded or curved sides of the shoe K, and thereby guided firmly and securely into their completely closed positions against the stop or head L, as the 'joints between the panels A, B, straighten out, the eXtreme inner edges of the panels B being forced into the space between the shoe K, and the head L. y

It will be observed that I am enabled to which have usually been employed and which are a source of trouble by reason' of the guides becoming wedged therein in case ofthe slightest inaccuracy in forming the curve on the exact radius of curvature. lBy employing straight guideways, and offsetting from the door sections the guides which coperate therewith, I am enabled to. produce an larrangement which is exceedingly simple and economical to make and install, and wherein an easy action of the door section or panel movements is secured without binding or wedging.

The movements of the door sections or panels to open or closed positions may be effected in many different ways, by power or manually operated devices, and from any convenient point. In the particular arrangement shown, to which, however, my invention in its broadest scope, as defined in vthe claims, is not to be limited or restricted, I provide manually operated devices for moving the door sections or panels, and where the doors are applied as side doors for street or other car platforms, as in the case illustrating my invention as shown in the drawings, I propose, in accordance with the'principles of my invention tol this end I. employ a stand M, at the point referred to, within which is arranged a vertical voperating shaft N. having an operating handle O, at its upper end by which said shaft maybe rotatively actuated. The operating shaft N, extends below the floor P, of the platform, and at its lower end is suitably connected to the rock shafts C, in such manner that when the operating shaft N, is rocked, a corresponding rocking movenient is imparted to the shafts C, and, consequently, also to the door panels or sections A, and Bas above explained. A simple and eliicient arrangement is shown wherein a crank arm 10, is mounted on shaft N, said crank arm having a broadened free end, as shown. To the two corners of the broadened free end of this crank arm are pivotally connected, as at 11, 12, operating rods 13, 14. In order to prevent interference in the. proper operation of these devices, I prefer yto attach one of these operating rods 13, to

the upper side of crank'arm 10, and the other 14 to the lower or under side thereof, as most clearly shown in Fig. 4. I also suitably curve or bend one of the rods, as indicated at 1.5, so that said rod will not be prevented by shaft N, from properly operating to the required extent to perform its full function. The other ends of the rods 13,14, are pivotally connected to crank arms 16, respectively connected to the door section or panel operating shafts C, and respectively extending in opposite directions, so that when operating shaft N, is rotated the door section carrying shafts C are simultaneously rotated in opposite directions with respect to each other.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a step cover in the form of a panel arranged to form a riser 17, for the car step 18 when the doors are open, but designed'to be shifted outwardly, as indicated in dotted lines, to form a step cover when the doors are closed, the shifting of the step cover being accomplished coincidently with the door movements by means of a rod 22, connected to the panel, as at in the case of car doors, it is desirable to lock the doors in the limits of their movements to open or closed positlons. This result is `accomplished in the structure embodying my invention as illustrated in the drawings, by so arranging the parts that when the doors are in their fully closed positions, the points 11, 12, of pivotal connection of the rods 13, 14, to the crank arm l0, are respectively, in substantially a dead center line with the axis of operating shaft N, and the points of pivotal connection of said rods with the crank arms 16, on the door operating shafts C, thereby locking the doors ioning device that might be employed would require additional physical effort. Moreover, if the cushioning or retarding action is only slight a strong vigorous operator might cause the doors to slam notwithstanding the use of the cushioning or retarding means, and if the cushioning or retarding action is strong then a less vigorous operator might fail to completely open or close the door, thereby inviting danger of accident. In accordance with the principles of my invention, I propose to obviate these ditiiculties, and to provide means for eiiiciently retarding or cushioning the final movements of the doors and, in case of manual operation without imposing too great an additional strain on the operator. A simple arrangement, as illustrative of the principles involved is shown, wherein-the crank arm 10, is loosely mounted on shaft N, and is provided near its free end with a slot curved on an arc struck from the aXis of shaft N, asl a center, in which slot operates the bent end 29, of a crank arm 30, secured to and rocking with the shaft N. Also connected to the arm l0, is one end of a link 31, the other end thereof being connected to the rod 32, of a piston 33, operating in a cylinder 34. The piston 33, is provided with a hole or opening 35, therethrough which is closed when the piston moves in one direction by a flap valve 36, loosely carried by a stud 37, and adjusted by a set screw 38. When the piston moves in the other direction the flap valvev36, uncovers the opening 35. A spring 39, is interposed between the piston 33, and one end of the cylinder 34.

The operation of this feature of my invention is as follows:

When the operating handle O, is turned, thereby turning the shaft N, the end 29 of the crank arm 30, moves through the slot 27 in arm 10, without doing any work until the iii end of slot 27 is reached whereupon the arm 10, is thereafter rocked with arm 30. This movement, starting with the parts occupying the positions thereof indicated in Fig. 3, that is, in their normal positions with the doors closed, causes the piston 33 to be moved in cylinder 34, against the action of spring 39, until the arm 30 has moved through a distance somewhat greater than ninety degrees, or until the link 3l, has passed its dead center point. Thereafter the physical effort of the operator in completing the door movements to open position, is aided by the tension of spring 39, which now tends to complete the swing of arm 10, thereby very materially relieving the operator in accomplishing the work.

When the operating handle has moved to its eXtreme position the crank arm 10, will lack somewhat of being in its extreme posiltion owing to the lost motion in the slot in the crank arm, and, therefore, when the operating handle O, has been moved to its eXtreme position the door will lack somewhat of being in its completely opened or closed position. The spring 39, acting against the air in the cylinder 34, which is compelled to escape through the opening 35, which is nearly closed by the flap valve 36, will gradually move the crank arm 10 into its co-mplete dead center position, thereby completing the movement of the door in to its final open or closed position. No matter, therefore, how rapidly or violently the operator may move his crank arm to its final position, he cannot cause the door to slam as the final movement of the door will be accomplished by the spring acting against the dash pot, the lost motion in the slot of the crank arm 10, rendering it impossible for the operator by main strength to force the door to its completely closed or open position.

Thus it will be seen that the spring 39 is being placed in compression by the manual rotation of shaft N, through the power applied to handle O, by reason of the engage- -ment of the end 29 of arm 30, with the end wall of the slot in crank plate 10, which causes Said crank plate to move withrthe shaft N. This continues until the link 31, passes its dead center. Thereafter the tension of the spring becomes effective to continue the rotation of the crank plate 10 independently of the shaft N and handle O, to the extent permitted by the length of the slot 27. This movement, however, is retarded by the restricted exhaust of the air from one side of the piston 33, to the other through the restricted passage 35. This restriction effects the cushioning Aaction and such action takes place whether the final rockingmovement of the crank plate 10. is

accomplished Wholly by the spring or by l power applied to the handle O. The final limit of movement of the piston 33, in cylinder 34 serves to arrest the movement of the crank plate whether such movement is accomplished through the spring or through the handle O, and whether' said crank plate is moved to one or the other` limits of its throw.

It will also be seen that the same operation takes place when the handle O, is operated in the reverse direction to close the doors. It will also be seen that the spring 39, holds the crank 10 in the eXtreme limits of its movements, with the door operating rods 13, 14, in their dead center or locked positions, whereby the danger is avoided of the door locking means being jarred orv jolted loose in the case of street or railway car operation, or other rough usage.

In the foregoing description I have referred to the4 arrangement of the doors only on one side of the car platform, and to the operation of the same from a point embodying the pay-within fare prepayment prin-v ciple as applied to street cars. It is obvious that my invention is not to be limited or restricted in this respect. In Fig. 1 I have shown both sides of the platform equipped with folding doors, guided and operating as above described. In the case of street cars, however, it may be desirable to employ one side of the rear platform o-f the car for both ingress and egress of passengers, while the doorways at the other side of said platform remain closed. Or it may be desired to similarly equip each end of the car` so that the'rear end maybe employed both for ingress and egress of passengers, while the front or motormans end may be employed only for the egress of passengers and either end may be a motormans end. To enable this arrangement to be employed I similarly equip both sides of the platform at one or both ends of the car, and arrange the control of the doors on one side of the platform in accordance with the pay-within principle, as above explained, while the doors on the other side o-f the platform are arranged to be controlled from a point convenient to the motormans controller S, as indicated at R, the arrangement construction and operation being otherwise the same as above described.

While I have shown and described a retarding device for the doors, and while such a feature is desirable, it is not absolutely essential, and may be omitted, as indicated in Fig. 1 in the arrangement operated by the motorman. In this case a spring 45, mayl be employed to retain the operating crank in the limits of its movements.

I do not claim herein the step or cover, or the combination thereof with the door, nor the combined operating mechanismfor the door and step or step cover, as the saine forms the subject matterof another application divided herefrom.

Having now set forth the objects and purposes-of my invention, and various arrangements embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful, and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. The combination with folding door panels, and manually operated devices for moving the same, of means rendered operative by a portion only of the movement of the manually operated devices for independently retarding the linal movements of the panels to open or closed position.

2. The combination of a door and means for operating the same, including a rock shaft, a crank arm thereon, connections between the crank arm and door, and lost motion connection between the shaft and crank arm.

3. rThe combination of a door and means for operating thesame including a rock shaft, a crank arm thereon, connections between the crank arm and door, lost motion connections between the shaft and crank arm, and means for retarding the crank arm as itapproaches the limits of its movements.

relation with respect to the crank arm when the doors are in closed position.

5. The combination with a door composed of sections respectively arranged on opposite sides of the doorway, of an operating mechanism therefor including an operating shaft,

a crank arm thereon, a connecting rod intermedlate said crank arm and each of said door sections whereby both connecting rods are simultaneously operated and means whereby said rods are each in dead center relation with respect to the crank arm when the doors are in both open and closed position. f

6. The combination with a door composed of sections respectively arranged on opposite sides of the doorway, an operating mechanism therefor including an operating shaft, a crank arm thereon, connecting rods connected to said crank arm respectively above and below the same, and also respectively connected to said door sections for operating the latter simultaneously, one of said rods having an offset bend therein, and means for rocking said shaft.

.7. The combination of a door, and means for operating the same, including an operating shaft, a crank arm thereon, lost motion connections between the shaft and crank arm, and connections lbetween the crank arm and door, said connections adapted to be brought into dead center relation when the door is in the limit of its movement.

8. The combination of a door, a vertical rock shaft carrying said door, anvoperating shaft having a crank arm and lost motion connections between the crank arm and the rock shaft.

' 9. The combinationof a door, a vertical rock shaft carrying said door, an operating shaft having a crank arm, lost motion connections between the crank arm and the rock shaft, and means for retarding the final movement of the crank arm toward the limits of its movement.

10. The combination of a door composed of folding panels hinged together, a rock shaft carrying one of said panels, an operating shaft for said rock shaft, connections between said shafts, and means for retarding thefinal movements thereof.

11. The combination of a pair of doors, respectively arranged at opposite sides of the doorway controlled by said doors and each composed of panels or sections hinged together, a vertical rock shaft carrying the outermost panel or section of each door, and forming a vertical hinge axis therefor at its outer edge, an operating shaft having connection with both rock'shafts for rocking them, a fixed shoe arranged to be engaged by the inner edges of the inner panel of each door as the door ap roaches its closed position, a guide channe loca-ted over each door on opposite sides of said shoe and extending in a straight line from said shoe to the other side of the doorway, and means connected to the upper end of the inner door panel of each door for engagement with its associate guide channel, said shoe operating to cause said channel engaging means to enter said channel.

12. The combination of a doorway and a pair of doors therefor, each composed of panels hinged together, vertical rock shafts respectively arranged at opposite sides of the doorway, and each carrying a panel of its adjacent door and forming a vertical hinge axis therefor, a fixed guideway arranged over the doorway and having one wall thereof omitted at midwidth point of the doorway, means carried by another of the panels of each door at the upper free edge thereof, a-nd arranged to engage and operate in said guideway, means to engage the forward edge of the last mentioned panels of both doors as they leave and ap proach closed position to, cause said guideway engaging means to en'ter and to be withdrawn from said guideway, an operating shaft, a control handle therefor, a crank arm carried by said operating shaft, a crank arm on each rock shaft, and connections `between said crank arms.

13. The combination of a door composed of panels or sections hinged together, a vertical rock shaft carrying one of said panels and forming a vertical hinge axis therefor, a fixed guideway, means carried by another of said door panels at the'free edge thereof and arranged to operate in said guideway, an operating shaft arranged to divide the space adjacent the doorway into separate passages, a control handle for said operating shaft, a crank arm also carried by said operating shaft, a crank arm on the rock shaft, connections between said crank arms, and means for cushioning the final movements of the door panel operating mechanism.

14. The combination of a door composed of panels or sections hinged together, a vertical rock shaft, carrying one of said panels and forming a vertical hinge axis therefor, a fixed guideway, means carried by another of the door panels at the free edge thereof and arranged to operate 4in said guideway, an operating shaft having a crank arm and a control handle, a crank arm on the verti- Ycal rock shaft, connections between said crank arms, and means normally operating on said operating shaft to hold the same in the limits of its rocking movements to maintain the door panels in their open or closed positions.

15. The combination of a door composed of panels or sections hinged together, a vertical rock-shaft carrying one of said panels and forming a vertical hinge axis therefor, said shaft having a crank arm, a fixed guideway, means carried by the free edge ofanother of said door panels for engagement with said guideway, an operating shaft having an operating handle and a crank arm, connections between said crank arms, and yielding devices normally operating to hold said crank arms in position to maintain said connections in dead center relation at each limit of movement thereof.

16. The combination of a doorway, a pair of doors therefor, each composed of panels hinged together, a vertical rock shaft carrying one of the panels of each door and forming a vertical hinge axis therefor at its outer edge, each of said rock shafts having a crank arm, a channel arranged over each door, said channels being arranged in lines with each other and forming an interrupted guideway over the doorwa means carried by the inner panel of eac door, at its upper end, to engage and operate in its associated guideway, a guide shoe located at the interruption of said guideway, and between the proximate ends of said channels to be engaged by the inner panel of each door as it approaches closed position to cause said guideway en- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 10 gaging means of each door to pass through my hand in the presence of the subscribing the interruption of the guideway, and to en- Witnesses, on this 23rd day of ApriirA. D. flex' its associatedlchanrel, an operating shaft 1910.

avin a contro han 1e and a-crank arm, and `cfnnections between the operating shaft HAROLD ROWNTREE crank arm, and the crank arms on said rock Witnesses: shafts, whereby said doors are operated in LEMUEL M. SHIELDS, unison. HARRY M. HEDGE. 

